2015 Supreme(MP) 1057
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
Vandana Kasrekar, J.
Sabdal Singh & Others - Appellants
Vs.
Shivraj Singh Thakur & Others - Respondents
Civil Rev. No. 327 of 2012
Decided On : 19-08-2015
Important Points
Subject
Civil Law - Res Judicata
Act Referred
Headnote
Res Judicata - Civil Suit - Order 7, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code - [Order 7, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code] - The court discussed the applicability of the principle of res judicata in a civil suit for partition, possession, and declaration. It referenced the judgments passed in previous suits and emphasized that although the subject-matter and parties were the same, the causes of action and relief claimed in the subsequent suit were different, leading to the conclusion that the suit was not barred by res judicata.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiffs filed a Civil Suit for partition, possession, and declaration against the defendants. The defendants filed an application under Order 7, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code for dismissal of the suit on the ground of res judicata, citing a previous judgment and decree.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the suit filed by the plaintiffs was not barred by the principle of res judicata, as the causes of action and relief claimed in the subsequent suit were different from those in the previous suit.
Issues: The main issue was whether the suit was barred by res judicata, considering the previous judgment and decree in a related suit.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that although the subject-matter and parties were the same, the causes of action and relief claimed in the subsequent suit were different, leading to the conclusion that the suit was not barred by res judicata.
Final Decision: The revision filed by the petitioners was dismissed without any order as to costs.
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellants : Imtiaz Husain
For the Respondents: R.S. Siddiqui, K.L. Prajapati
Vandana Kasrekar, J.
The petitioners have filed this Civil Revision challenging the order dated 30-8-2012 passed by Civil Judge Class-I, Begamganj, District Raisen in Civil Suit No. 39-A/2010, thereby rejecting the application filed under Order 7, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code. Brief facts of the case are that the plaintiffs/respondents filed Civil Suit for partition, possession and declaration against the defendants/petitioners. The defendants/petitioners have filed an application under Order 7, Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code for dismissal of the suit on the ground of res judicata stating that the suit is barred by principle of res judicata in view of the judgment and decree passed in Civil Suit No. 82-A/2004 which was affirmed in Civil Appeal No. 8-A/2005 vide its judgment and decree dated 9-4-2007.
2. The Court below rejected the application filed by the petitioners. Against the said order the petitioners have filed Review Petition which was also dismissed. Being aggrieved by both the orders the petitioners have filed a Writ Petition No. 20066/2011 before this Court. The Writ Petition was disposed of vide order dated 27-1-2012 with a direction to the trial Court to frame preliminary issue whether the suit is barred by res judicata and to try the same in accordance with law without being influenced by order dated 14-9-2011 and 24-10-2011. In compliance of the order of this Court, the trial Court framed issue on the point of res judicata and permitted the parties to lead the evidence on the issue so framed. After recording the evidence the trial Court vide impugned order dated 30-8-2012 has held that the suit filed by the plaintiffs/respondents is not barred by the principle of res judicata. Being aggrieved by this order, the petitioners have filed the present revision.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioners argues that the trial Court has erred in holding that the suit is not barred by res judicata. He further argues that in earlier suit the parties as well as the subject-matter of the suit is same as in the subsequent suit and, therefore, the trial Court has committed an error in not dismissing the suit on the principle of res judicata. He further argues that in the earlier suit the trial Court has found that the plaintiffs are not the owner of the suit lands and the said judgment has attained the finality in First Appeal as well as Second Appeal and, therefore, the plaintiffs cannot file a suit against for partition as the question of partition does not arise on the same dependent and consequential on the title of the property. He further argues that as in the previous suit the plaintiffs failed to prove their title, there is no question of decree of any partition in favour of the respondents/plaintiffs, therefore, he prays for dismissal of the suit on the ground of res judicata. He relies on the judgment passed by Apex Court in the case of Abdul Rahman Vs. Prasony Bai and Another, AIR 2003 SC 718.
4. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the respondents submit that although the disputed land is the same as involved in the previous suit and the parties are same but issues and the cause of action in the subsequent suit is different. In the previous suit the plaintiff has claimed the relief for declaration while in the subsequent suit, he prays for relief of partition. Thus, the relief claimed in both the suits are different and, therefore, trial Court has not committed any error in deciding the preliminary issue in favour of the respondents/plaintiffs. Learned counsel placed reliance on the judgment passed by Apex Court in the case of Deva Ram and Another Vs. Ishwar Chand and Another, AIR 1996 SC 378 .
5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the plaint filed by the petitioners of the previous suit as well as the subsequent suit. From perusal of the relief clause, it is apparent that the relief which is claimed in the previous suit is that of the declaration, while in the subsequen